Frederick Maxfield Hoyt

Who was Mr Frederick Maxfield Hoyt?

Mr Frederick Maxfield Hoyt was a prominent American yachtsman, yacht designer, and Titanic survivor. Born on September 15, 1873, in Stamford, Connecticut, Hoyt was a first-class passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic. He was known for his expertise in yacht design and racing, serving as Commodore of the Larchmont Yacht Club from 1901 to 1904.

Early Life and Family

A Privileged Upbringing

Frederick Maxfield Hoyt was born into a wealthy family in Stamford, Connecticut. His father, Joseph Blachley Hoyt, was a successful tanner and head of the New York-based leather merchants, Hoyt Brothers. Frederick’s mother, Susan Swain Evans, was originally from Dorset, England.

The Hoyt family tree included:

• Father: Joseph Blachley Hoyt (1812-1888)
• Mother: Susan Swain Evans (1837-1907)
• Brothers:
  • Joseph Blatchley Hoyt (1866-1942)
  • Willard Evans Hoyt (1870-1948)

Upon his father’s death in 1888, Frederick and his family inherited a substantial fortune, setting the stage for his future endeavors in yachting and high society.

Education and Early Career

Frederick Hoyt’s educational journey led him to the prestigious Sheffield Scientific School at Yale, from which he graduated in 1895. This technical education would prove invaluable in his future career as a yacht designer.

By 1900, at the age of 26 (twenty-six), Hoyt was already establishing himself in the field of yacht design. The 1900 census provides a snapshot of his life at this time:

The family’s affluence was evident by the presence of three servants living with them in their Stamford City home.

A Life of Yachting and High Society

Marriage and Social Status

On May 17, 1906, Frederick married Jane Ann Forby, a native of Amsterdam, New York. The couple, who remained childless, established their residence at 112 East Seventy-Third Street in Manhattan. Frederick’s professional life centered around his work as a broker, with offices located at 45 Broadway.

Yachting Accomplishments

Frederick Maxfield Hoyt’s passion for yachting defined much of his adult life. His accomplishments in this field were numerous:

• Joined the Larchmont Yacht Club in 1899
• Served as Commodore of the Larchmont Yacht Club from 1901 to 1904
• Participated in the Atlantic’s transatlantic race to Spain for the International Cup
• Member of the prestigious New York Yacht Club
• Designed yachts professionally
• Owned several renowned racing yachts, including:
  • Norota
  • Syce
  • Isolde

The Hoyts’ social calendar revolved around yachting events, with the couple maintaining a summer home in Stamford and frequenting Marblehead, Massachusetts, a popular sailing destination.

The Titanic Voyage

Why were the Hoyts on the Titanic?

Frederick and Jane Hoyt boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as first-class passengers, bound for their home in Stamford, Connecticut. Their journey was marked by luxury, as evidenced by their accommodations and ticket details:

• Ticket Number: 19943
• Ticket Cost: £90 (equivalent to approximately £10,000 in 2023)
• Cabin: C-93

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, the Hoyts’ lives were forever changed. As the Titanic struck the iceberg, it was reportedly the ship’s surgeon, Dr. O’Loughlin (though some sources attribute this to a steward), who alerted the couple to the danger.

The sequence of events unfolded dramatically:

1. Dr. O’Loughlin urged the Hoyts to prepare and make their way to the lifeboats.
2. Mrs. Jane Hoyt was assisted into Collapsible Lifeboat D by Dr. O’Loughlin.
3. Frederick, in a daring move, jumped into the water after the lifeboat had been launched.
4. The occupants of Collapsible D pulled Frederick from the frigid North Atlantic, saving his life.

This harrowing experience showcased Frederick’s bravery and the quick thinking that likely saved both his and his wife’s lives.

Life After the Titanic

Where did the Hoyts settle after surviving the Titanic?

Following their brush with death on the Titanic, Frederick and Jane Hoyt initially settled in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. Their lives took them to various locations:

• Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York (initial settlement)
• Los Angeles, California (resided there in 1930, as per census records)
• Mamaroneck, New York (Frederick’s final years)

Tragically, Jane Hoyt passed away in Los Angeles in 1932, leaving Frederick a widower.

Frederick’s Final Years

In his later life, Frederick Hoyt resided at the Manor Inn in Larchmont, Mamaroneck. His life came to an end on July 5, 1940, at the age of 66 (sixty-six), when he suffered a fatal heart attack at the New Rochelle Hospital.

Frederick Maxfield Hoyt was laid to rest alongside his wife in Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut, bringing his remarkable life journey full circle to the city of his birth.

Frederick Maxfield Hoyt’s life story is a testament to the resilience